Man charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment after baby is held as shield

SYLMAR - A Northridge man was charged today after he allegedly dangled a baby over a second-floor motel railing because the child's mother broke his meth pipe, authorities allege.

Antonio Llerenas, 24, aka Elmer Henriquez, was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment of a hostage, and child abuse and is expected to be arraigned in court this afternoon, officials said.

On Tuesday about 1 a.m., Llerenas was subdued by two Los Angeles police officers, and the baby, identified in court papers as Marleen S., suffered minor injuries in the 1 a.m. Tuesday incident at the Del Monico Motel, 13055 San Fernando Road.

Officers Jake Fernandez and Ruben Gonzalez received the attempted kidnapping call while on patrol. When they arrived, they found a man wearing only boxer shorts and possibly high on meth, Gonzalez said. He was dangling over the railing an 18-month-old baby girl wearing a pink jumper.

The officers ordered the man to put the baby down. The man refused and said, "Don't move! Take another step and I'll drop her," Gonzalez recalled.

Motel guests started to poke their heads out of their rooms. The officers ordered them back inside.

Fernandez drew his shotgun loaded with beanbag rounds. Gonzalez drew his Taser. But neither had a clear shot.

"He was using (the) baby as a shield," Gonzalez said.

Officers chased him along the balcony as he choked the baby while running, Gonzalez said. He eventually ran into a dead end, and a motel guest helped block his path so police could grab him.

Fernandez shot the man with his Taser, and Gonzalez grabbed the child. It took up to six officers to handcuff the man, who was taken to a hospital for cuts and bruises suffered during the struggle, then taken to jail.

The baby suffered bruises on her head and neck but was examined and released by paramedics at the scene, police said. Her 21-year-old mother was not hurt.

Llerenas is not the baby's father. The argument was sparked when the mother broke his meth pipe, Gonzalez said. It's unclear how the woman and Llerenas are connected.